Robyn Passmore shares the story of 12-year-old Kaytlin Passmore's successful experience during the youth weekend hunt.

Ever wonder what it feels like to see a huge deer crash to the ground after you pull the trigger for the first time on a .410 shotgun? Well Kaytlin Passmore, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Concord Middle School, knows that feeling now and a lot more after she bagged a monstrous 10-point buck Sunday, Sept. 26, on the youth weekend hunt in Jackson County.

Kaytlin obtained her license after her brother told her he knew where there was a big buck he had been scouting since last year. Oh right, her mother thought as she purchased the proper licenses, we’ll see. If she brings home a deer at all, that would be a feat in itself!

The weekend youth hunt is a two-day event, but Kaytlin only had one day to hunt because of an all-day volleyball tournament Saturday in Union City. So, she was disappoint that she couldn't get to the woods until Sunday.

Her brother, Chuck Passmore, 22, an avid hunter since age 8, arrived a little behind schedule so they made a flying dash to the woods. Upon arriving Chuck went through a few strategies with Kaytlin. Where to aim, how to pull the trigger slowly, how to hold the gun steady, vital organs, etc. Kaytlin had not shot a gun since hunter safety a couple years ago. Chuck borrowed the firearm from his boss at work, so naturally it was questioned whether the gun was right on or not, and if she would even be able to hit the target with the first shot.

After only 20 minutes into the hunt, with Kaytlin still practicing how to hold the gun and keep it steady, the pair looked out and saw not one, but two bucks heading straight toward them. Both had nice racks, but one was obviously larger. Whispering to each other they waited as the deer slowly continued toward the blind. Finally, the deer was approximately 35 yards away and Kaytlin could wait no longer. She got the OK from her brother to shoot. She propped the .410 in the crook of her shoulder, making every attempt not to get any kick back from the weapon. After looking through the scope and aiming behind the shoulder and a few inches up, ever so slowly she pulled the trigger.

“I missed, didn’t I?” she asked her brother. No way, you made a good shot and pinwheeled him. He brother continued to video tape as the two walked slowly across the field.

The deer’s antler could visibly be seen even from a long distance. He brother proclaimed, “You don’t know what you got here, he’s a monster buck.” Kaytlin was at a loss for words, still a bit sleepy and exhausted from the night before, they counted the points and 10 were spotted with 2 very small ones at the base. “Wow! He’s a 10 point. Through the scope I thought he was an 8 point. I’ve gotta call mom!”

Once the deer was loaded and the rounds made to show him off, Kaytlin finally arrived home with a huge grin still on her face. Family members and friends came off and on, lots of pictures were taken and the story told over and over. The video was watched and the deer was hung and Kaytlin skinned it out, quartered it and got it ready for processing. They had a bit of trouble fitting it all in the refrigerator with those long antlers, but it was said and done by 7 p.m. Plans are being made to get a shoulder mount of the deer for the ultimate prize of a hunt that will never be forgotten.